July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
JCDC looks back (9/14/05)
Organization holds annual meeting
By By Mike Snyder-
After a look back at its accomplishments of the past year, a local economic development group turned its collective eyes to what it must do in the future.
Jay County Development Corporation, which has seen its role in local economic development evolve over the past five years or so, held its annual meeting Tuesday in its new home — the Community Resource Center in Portland.
The center, located at 118 S. Meridian St., serves as the home to four entities: Portland Area Chamber of Commerce, Jay County Visitor and Tourism Bureau, Jay/Portland Building and Planning and Jay County Development Corporation, including Jay County Community Development.
Chuck Huffman, outgoing president of the JCDC Board of Directors, and executive director Bob Quadrozzi each made reports on the activities and vision for the private organization that draws much of its funding from the county’s economic development income tax.
Quadrozzi, who has been in the position for 14 years, said he continues to feel proud about the accomplishments of an organization which has diversified its goals and services over the years.
“We do feel some of the things we do ... are very much responsible for some of the positive things that happen in this community,” said Quadrozzi.
Among the non-traditional projects that JCDC has been heavily involved in over the past year-plus are XPLEX Extreme Competition Park and Community Home Improvement, along with partnering with Omnicity, a provider of high-speed wireless Internet access.
Quadrozzi also urged those in attendance, which included board members and other invited guests, to utilize the services of community developer Ami Davidson, who has been on the job approximately one month.
Davidson replaced Wayne Bailey, who resigned in June in what he characterized as a conflict between himself and Quadrozzi, along with a lack of a clear organizational structure within JCDC.
After Bailey resigned, the JCDC board approved changes in that structure, including making Quadrozzi the direct supervisor of the community developer.
Among the significant accomplishments of the past fiscal year for JCDC (July 1-June 30) noted by Huffman was a project coordinated by Bailey — a $500,000-plus grant awarded to rehabilitate the Weiler Building into a permanent home for the John Jay Center for Learning.
“It will be a tremendous shot in the arm for downtown Portland,” Huffman said of the JJCL project.
Other milestones noted Tuesday were the completion and adoption of a new five-year strategic development plan and the completion of a community entrepreneurial assessment program.
Huffman and Quadrozzi thanked local government officials, business leaders and the board members and staff of JCDC.
In other business Wednesday, several members of the board of directors were re-elected to new terms, and a new president and vice president were elected.
Pat Bennett, who is president of Portland Forge, was selected as the new JCDC board president. He has served for several years as vice president. Joe Johnston, CEO of Jay County Hospital, was selected as vice president.
Rosalie Clamme was re-elected as board treasurer, while Lee Bone will serve another term as secretary.
Board members appointed to new three-year terms include: Bruce Hosier, Barbara Street, Pat Bennett, Todd Wickey, Scott Hilfiker, Ryan VanNatter and Rosalie Clamme.
Appointed to one-year terms were John Nill, Vickie Tague, Jim Riggle, Dennis Shepherd, John Knipp, Dan Watson and Jack Moore.[[In-content Ad]]
Jay County Development Corporation, which has seen its role in local economic development evolve over the past five years or so, held its annual meeting Tuesday in its new home — the Community Resource Center in Portland.
The center, located at 118 S. Meridian St., serves as the home to four entities: Portland Area Chamber of Commerce, Jay County Visitor and Tourism Bureau, Jay/Portland Building and Planning and Jay County Development Corporation, including Jay County Community Development.
Chuck Huffman, outgoing president of the JCDC Board of Directors, and executive director Bob Quadrozzi each made reports on the activities and vision for the private organization that draws much of its funding from the county’s economic development income tax.
Quadrozzi, who has been in the position for 14 years, said he continues to feel proud about the accomplishments of an organization which has diversified its goals and services over the years.
“We do feel some of the things we do ... are very much responsible for some of the positive things that happen in this community,” said Quadrozzi.
Among the non-traditional projects that JCDC has been heavily involved in over the past year-plus are XPLEX Extreme Competition Park and Community Home Improvement, along with partnering with Omnicity, a provider of high-speed wireless Internet access.
Quadrozzi also urged those in attendance, which included board members and other invited guests, to utilize the services of community developer Ami Davidson, who has been on the job approximately one month.
Davidson replaced Wayne Bailey, who resigned in June in what he characterized as a conflict between himself and Quadrozzi, along with a lack of a clear organizational structure within JCDC.
After Bailey resigned, the JCDC board approved changes in that structure, including making Quadrozzi the direct supervisor of the community developer.
Among the significant accomplishments of the past fiscal year for JCDC (July 1-June 30) noted by Huffman was a project coordinated by Bailey — a $500,000-plus grant awarded to rehabilitate the Weiler Building into a permanent home for the John Jay Center for Learning.
“It will be a tremendous shot in the arm for downtown Portland,” Huffman said of the JJCL project.
Other milestones noted Tuesday were the completion and adoption of a new five-year strategic development plan and the completion of a community entrepreneurial assessment program.
Huffman and Quadrozzi thanked local government officials, business leaders and the board members and staff of JCDC.
In other business Wednesday, several members of the board of directors were re-elected to new terms, and a new president and vice president were elected.
Pat Bennett, who is president of Portland Forge, was selected as the new JCDC board president. He has served for several years as vice president. Joe Johnston, CEO of Jay County Hospital, was selected as vice president.
Rosalie Clamme was re-elected as board treasurer, while Lee Bone will serve another term as secretary.
Board members appointed to new three-year terms include: Bruce Hosier, Barbara Street, Pat Bennett, Todd Wickey, Scott Hilfiker, Ryan VanNatter and Rosalie Clamme.
Appointed to one-year terms were John Nill, Vickie Tague, Jim Riggle, Dennis Shepherd, John Knipp, Dan Watson and Jack Moore.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD